Abstract:

 Based on a 80/280 kt/a EO/EG plant in China, this research conducted a process modeling for the EO purification unit via Pro II in order to develop a revamping scheme. Combining the data obtained from the simulation with its counterpart collected from the actual operation, this article studied the influence of reflux ratio, EO concentration in feed, tower internal, energy utilization scheme and other factors on the output and quality of EO product, and determined a reasonable revamping scheme. Without increasing EOE (EO Equivalents) capacity, the optimized revamping scheme can increase the EO design capacity up to 180% of the original design within a short design and construction time, with the lowest energy consumption and the highest profit. What presented herein can provide valuable reference for the EO capacity expansion of EO/EG plants.

Key words: ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plant')">

ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plant, purification of ethylene oxide, process simulation, capacity expansion